" in a disguised voice, and the cook
immediately went below, without entertaining a suspicion that all was
not right.

My two companions now proceeded boldly aft and down into the cabin,
Peters closing the door after him in the same manner he had found it.
The mate received them with feigned cordiality, and told Augustus that,
since he had behaved himself so well of late, he might take up his
quarters in the cabin and be one of them for the future. He then poured
him out a tumbler half full of rum, and made him drink it. All this I
saw and heard, for I followed my friends to the cabin as soon as the
door was shut, and took up my old point of observation. I had
brought with me the two pump-handles, one of which I secured near the
companion-way, to be ready for use when required.

I now steadied myself as well as possible so as to have a good view of
all that was passing within, and endeavoured to nerve myself to the task
of descending among the mutineers when Peters should make a signal to
me, as agreed upon. Presently he contrived to turn the conversation upon
the bloody deeds of the mutiny, and by degrees led the men to talk
of the thousand superstitions which are so universally current among
seamen. I could not make out all that was said, but I could plainly see
the effects of the conversation in the countenances of those present.
The mate was evidently much agitated, and presently, when some one
mentioned the terrific appearance of Rogers' corpse, I thought he was
upon the point of swooning. Peters now asked him if he did not think it
would be better to have the body thrown overboard at once as it was too
horrible a sight to see it floundering about in the scuppers. At this
the villain absolutely gasped for breath, and turned his head slowly
round upon his companions, as if imploring some one to go up and perform
the task. No one, however, stirred, and it was quite evident that the
whole party were wound up to the highest pitch of nervous excitement.
Peters now made me the signal. I immediately threw open the door of the
companion-way, and, descending, without uttering a syllable, stood erect
in the midst of the party.

The intense effect produced by this sudden apparition is not at all
to be wondered at when the various circumstances are taken into
consideration. Usually, in cases of a similar nature, there is left in
the mind of the spectator some glimmering of doubt as to the reality of
the vision before his ey